Ka`u News Briefs April 14, 2011

The Air National Guard could help with a second well in
 Ocean View.  Photo from bigislandliving.blogspot.com

THE LIST OF PROJECTS IS GROWING for the proposed Air National Guard’s Readiness Program, which came from Washington, D.C. to meet with community, business and Marshallese leaders in Ocean View yesterday. Master Sgt. Chip Stoyer and Lt. Col. Dwight Hall represented the Guard.
     Ocean View Community Development Corp. President Loren Heck said the corps of 45 to 50 guardsmen will arrive in Ka`u in the spring or fall of 2012. Priorities for training their men and women involve activities to prepare them for developing water systems after a natural disaster or in remote parts of the world that have never had water systems. They dig wells, lay pipe, and install catchments and cisterns. Heck noted that an old Ka`u-to-South Kona water master plan, for example, shows the installation of gutters along the roads going mauka-makai to catch water and carry it to an open reservoir. Such simple plans could play into the future of water in Ka`u and would be the kind of project for which the Guard could volunteer. 

Kahuku Park could receive upgrades.
Photo by bigislandliving.blogspot.com

     People attending the meeting also supported putting in fire hydrants and water tanks to fight fires. Building a charter school and shelter in Ocean View was also suggested, along with upgrading Kahuku Park with a community garden, a better baseball and soccer field and lights. The Guard is also interested in helping develop the transfer station for Ocean View, Heck said.

MORE CASES OF DENGUE FEVER have been spread by mosquitoes in the Islands. The first recent cases were seen on O`ahu, and now some people have come down with the disease on Maui. State Health Director Loretta Fuddy said, “We need the public’s help to clean up mosquito breeding by emptying all standing water and checking gutters and other areas that collect water. Residents can repair window and door screens to keep mosquitoes from entering indoors. Wear clothing to cover and protect skin from biting mosquitoes.” 

Aedes mosquito carries dengue fever.

     Dengue fever is a viral disease transmitted by the Aedes mosquito that occurs primarily in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. The illness is characterized by sudden onset of high fever, severe headaches, joint and muscle pain, nausea, vomiting and rash. Younger children tend to have a milder illness than older children, and adults and may show no symptoms. Symptoms may last up to 10 days, but complete recovery can take two to four weeks. Treatment consists of rest, fluids, and medications to reduce fever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Aspirin should not be used to treat a dengue patient. The health department is interested in finding out who has dengue fever, so if you think you have it, stop by a physicians office or clinic to be tested. 

With no shelter in Ka`u, the Humane Society takes
 most animals to Kona.  Photo by Julia Neal

THE WESTSIDE HUMANE SOCIETY SHELTER will be closer to Ocean View, as the organization has purchased a new site to replace the one next to the green waste dump and the Kealakehe Police Station on county property. The new facility 12 miles south of Kailua-Kona near the 110-mile marker will also be cooler for the animals, as it will be located upcountry at the former location of Fuku-Bonsai and the old quarry. The facility will have a dog park and 60 kennels instead of the current 16 for dogs plus more cages for cats. The property was purchased with help from a generous, anonymous donor. 

THE NEW WALGREENS STORE in Hilo will be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, with pharmacy hours from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. This all begins this Sunday at the old Borders bookstore building just off Hwy 11 and comes with a $10,000 donation to the University of Hawai`i College of Pharmacy, also in Hilo. The Walgreens is nearly 15,000 square feet, and its opening follows the opening of the 61,000 square foot Safeway nearby last month.

THE ANNUAL BON DANCE will be Saturday, June 4 at the Na`alehu Hongwanji. Booths are available through Eleanor Powell at 939-7536 or 936-6426 or email marge@hawaii.rr.com.

CALLING ALL SUSHI MAKERS and those who want to learn to make sushi. You can volunteer to make sushi on Saturday, May 7 just before Mother’s Day at Na`alehu Hongwanji. Sushi making will begin at 7 a.m., and sushi will be sold until about noon to raise money for the building fund. Call Takumi Shirakawa at 929-7462 to sign up to make sushi. 

KA`U RURAL HEALTH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION is coordinating re-certification classes for Certified Nurse Aides. Any CNAs who are in need of re-certification and are interested can call Jessie Marques at 928-0101 for more information.

COUNCIL MEMBER BRITTANY SMART holds a District 6 Matters meeting tonight at 7 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. Fire Chief Darryl Oliveira answers questions from the public about Fire Department issues and services. One topic expected to be discussed is the Ocean View Swap Meet that takes place at Pohue Plaza each Saturday. Hawaiian Ranchos Road Maintenance Corp. president Galen Lutz said the swap meet has become so popular that the intersection at Hwy 11 is dangerous. He also said that insufficient parking is making traffic dangerous to pedestrians. 

Medicine for the People performs Friday night at Volcano
   Art Center's Niaulani campus in Volcano Village.

VOLCANO ART CENTER hosts a benefit concert Friday at 6 p.m. at its Niaulani campus in Volcano Village. Medicine for the People will play to raise funds for singer Nahkohe Parayno’s eye surgery. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased by calling 967-8222 or at the door. 

THE LARGEST EASTER EGG HUNT in Ka`u will be held this Saturday, April 16 at Na`alehu Park. Sponsored by Ka`u community churches, the event is open to all ages, and everyone is encouraged to bring their own basket. The event features music, games and prizes. For more information contact naalehuag@hotmail.com or call 929-7278. 

THIS SUNDAY there is a plant and seed exchange at the Naohulelua Gardens on Kamaoa Road from noon to 3 p.m. with a talk by Sue Barnett on making the most of your garden, especially for growing food. Call 929-7236.